Method for simulating live aircraft infrared seeker obscuration during live, virtual, constructive (LVC) exercises

ABSTRACT

The illustrative embodiments provide for a method a training system. The training system includes a physical sensor system connected to a physical vehicle. The physical sensor system is configured to obtain real atmospheric obscuration data of a real atmospheric obscuration. The training system also includes a data processing system comprising a processor and a tangible memory. The data processing system is configured to receive the real atmospheric obscuration data, and determine based on the real atmospheric obscuration data whether a target is visible to the physical vehicle in a simulation training environment generated by the data processing system. The simulation training environment at least including a virtual representation of the physical vehicle and a virtual representation of the real atmospheric obscuration.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a method for simulating live aircraftinfrared seeker obscuration during live, virtual, constructive (LVC)exercises. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a methodto perform high fidelity simulated infrared seeker (missile or targetpod infrared seeker) target obscuration for live, virtual constructive(LVC) exercises during live flight or vehicle operation.

2. Background

Maintaining a modern military air capability requires constant testingand, for pilots and crew, constant training. One aspect of this testingand training is testing or practicing the firing of missiles at virtualor constructive targets during a live flight of a physical aircraft. Avirtual target is a human-controlled simulation representing an entity,for example a friend or foe aircraft, in the training environment. Aconstructive target is a computer-controlled simulation representing anentity in the training environment.

Because missiles are very expensive, sometimes many millions of dollarsfor each live missile, simulators are used to simulate an air combatenvironment, and simulate launch and operation of a missile. Thus, whilea pilot is actually flying an aircraft, a simulation is used to simulategaining a target lock and then firing of a missile at a simulatedtarget.

SUMMARY

The illustrative embodiments provide for a training system. The trainingsystem includes a physical sensor system connected to a physicalvehicle. The physical sensor system is configured to obtain realatmospheric obscuration data of a real atmospheric obscuration. Thetraining system also includes a data processing system comprising aprocessor and a tangible memory. The data processing system isconfigured to receive the real atmospheric obscuration data, anddetermine based on the real atmospheric obscuration data whether atarget is visible to the physical vehicle in a simulation trainingenvironment generated by the data processing system. The simulationtraining environment at least includes a virtual representation of thephysical vehicle and a virtual representation of the real atmosphericobscuration.

The illustrative embodiments also provide a method for training. Themethod includes obtaining real atmospheric obscuration data of a realatmospheric obscuration using a physical sensor system connected to aphysical vehicle. The method also includes receiving, at a tangible dataprocessing system, the real atmospheric obscuration data. The methodalso includes generating, by the tangible data processing system, asimulation training environment including at least a virtualrepresentation of the physical vehicle and a virtual representation ofthe real atmospheric obscuration. The method also includes determining,by the tangible data processing system, based on the real atmosphericobscuration data, whether a target is visible to the physical vehicle inthe simulation training environment.

The illustrative embodiments also provide for a method of simulatingtargets for a physical aircraft configured with a physical sensorsystem. The method includes operating the physical aircraft in flight.The method also includes measuring, using the physical sensor system, areal atmospheric obscuration to generate atmospheric obscuration data.The method also includes tracking a target in a virtual environmentgenerated by a processor in communication with the physical aircraft.The method also includes determining, by the processor and based on theatmospheric obscuration data, whether the virtual target is visible tothe physical aircraft in the virtual environment. The method alsoincludes displaying the virtual target in the virtual simulationenvironment only when the target is not obscured by the real atmosphericobscuration. The method also includes only tracking without displayingthe target in the virtual environment when the target is obscured by thereal atmospheric obscuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrativeembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrativeembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a representation of a simulated air combatenvironment during a live flight of a physical aircraft in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another representation of a simulated aircombat environment during a live flight of a physical aircraft inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a distributed air combat training system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of adding an interaction of real obscurationobjects in a simulated training environment during a live flight of aphysical aircraft in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a method for simulating an obscuration inan air combat training environment in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a block diagram of an air combat trainingsystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a data processing system in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To be clear, attention is first turned to the context in which theillustrative embodiments operate. The illustrative embodimentscontemplate a real pilot flying a real aircraft. A simulator, in theform of a computer, is either brought on board or attached to anexternal bay or pod of the aircraft. Thus, the simulator may be added asa post-fabrication installation, or may be part of an integrated designof the aircraft.

Once in the air, the simulator may create a simulation which emulatesthe real aircraft and the physical environment around the aircraft.Virtual representations of real targets may be generated as part of thesimulation. Alternatively, or in addition, purely virtual creations ofunreal targets may be generated as part of the simulation.

The simulation is presented to the pilot, via one or more userinterfaces, while the pilot is operating the aircraft in flight in realtime. The simulation may allow the pilot to engage in a virtualrepresentation of air combat, including but not limited to a simulationof firing missiles (particularly heat seeking missiles) at the simulatedtargets. However, the real operation of the actual aircraft affects thesimulation. In this manner, the pilot could fly the plane in a realmaneuver in order to practice maneuvering in view of a simulated missilefired at the pilot's aircraft. These maneuvers would affect what thepilot sees in the simulation.

Thus, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account thatsimulated air combat may be a combination of a virtual environment andreal entities and events. The virtual environment is, of course, purelyvirtual, as only representations of real things are present in thevirtual environment. However, the virtual environment takes cues fromthe real environment, and in addition, the computer operating thevirtual environment may add simulated (purely virtual) entities andevents to the virtual environment in order to help train the pilot byoperating real controls during a real flight, but not actually firingany missiles.

Thus, for example, a pilot could fly a real aircraft with a virtualtraining system. The pilot pays attention to a simulation beinggenerated during real flight. The simulation presents virtualrepresentations of enemy aircraft (they do not actually threaten thepilot), along with virtual representations of real buildings on theground that are targets of the simulated operation. The pilot may flyhis or her aircraft in real maneuvers based on cues taken from thevirtual enemies in the simulation, such as to engage in a dogfight.Because real missiles may cost millions of dollars apiece, the simulatoruser interface allows the pilot to go through the motions of arming,locking, and firing a missile at a virtual representation of one of thetargets. The simulation shows the virtual missile firing, and possiblyhitting or missing its virtual target, but no real missile is fired.When training is complete, the pilot can land the aircraft normally.

The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that,currently, models exist for simulating air combat, including simulatedmissile launch, for training purposes. These models allow an aircrew tosimulate detecting and tracking live, virtual, and constructive targetsin the infrared spectrum. The seeker models provide feedback (such asaudio and/or visual cues) to the aircrew during detection and tracking.

Currently such models have no method to interact with real world visualphenomena (e.g. clouds, fog, oil vapor, an infrared heat source such asthe sun, or the engine of a non-targeted vehicle) that may obscure theline of sight of the infrared seeking missile to a target. Such visualphenomena may be termed an “atmospheric obscuration” or “atmosphericobscurations”.

Atmospheric obscurations are significant in air combat. Taking advantageof atmospheric obscurations is a tactical maneuver that pilots mayemploy to defeat an enemy, such as by flying in the direction of the sunrelative to the enemy's line of sight in order to draw off an infraredseeking missile. A pilot may fly behind a cloud in order to deprive anenemy missile of the ability to seek the heat signature from theaircraft's engine.

One of the several purposes of the illustrative embodiments is to addvirtual representations of real atmospheric obscurations to a virtualenvironment, such as that described above. Another of the severalpurposes of the illustrative embodiments is to add virtually createdatmospheric obscurations to a virtual environment, such as thatdescribed above.

For infrared seeking missile simulations, current solutions may relyupon a captive AIM-9 (CATM) to perform live weapon training. A CATM is ano-launch inert weapon simulator that is carried on an aircraft at aweapons station. A simulator could also be installed inside an aircraft.Either way, the simulator could be pre-installed during manufacture, oradded later as a modification.

A AIM-9 (CATM) will not provide the necessary missile seeker cues to theaircrew for the virtual, constructive domain. Due to aircraft weapon busbandwidth limitations, it is unlikely that data can be provided to theAIM-9 (CATM) to support interaction with the virtual/constructivedomains. The AIM-9 (CATM) was not designed for such.

With the illustrative embodiments, a AIM-9 (CATM) may not be necessaryfor weapons training in an LVC exercise. Thus, the illustrativeembodiments not only solve the problems with the AIM-9 (CATM), theillustrative embodiments eliminate the associated costs of a AIM-9(CATM) altogether.

The illustrative embodiments contemplate a novel approach of utilizing adepth sensing visual sensor (e.g. LIDAR) that can detect visualphenomena (such as clouds, fog, oil vapor) that may obscure a heatsignature from the infrared seeker. The sensor provides information tothe seeker model, indicating when the target is obscured, thus breakingseeker lock or acquisition of the target.

The illustrative embodiments can also detect when the sun is obscured byatmospheric phenomena, thus indicating to the infrared seeker model thattarget/sun effects (seeker pulloff/break lock) are available or not.

In a similar application, depth map data of the atmosphere created bythe depth sensor can be utilized by virtual and constructive simulationsto assess visibility of the live aircraft environment. For example, alive aircraft could be obscured by a cloud from a constructivesimulation infrared seeker and the infrared seeker would lose lock. Inanother similar application, an infrared camera could be added todirectly measure heat signatures, and then add virtual representationsof those heat signatures to the virtual environment and modify simulatedinfrared seeker behavior accordingly.

Stated differently, the illustrative embodiments contemplate sensorinput to a training system to provide actual visual atmosphericconditions for training mission participants to determine true visualcapabilities of targets in view of obscuring atmospheric conditions suchas clouds, smoke, or sunlight. The position of real, virtual, andconstructive targets and aircraft are correlated to obscuringobject/events to determine if targets should be visible or not visibleto training mission participants (e.g. aircraft).

Thus, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account thatvirtual and constructive targets can be artificially, and incorrectly,visible to training participant aircraft when obscuring events exist inreality. The illustrative embodiments may deal with this issue by havingactual sensors systems on aircraft in training missions providingobscuring event data (atmospheric obscuration data) to the trainingsystem to determine if targets are visible given the location in thecoordinate space of the aircraft, target(s), and obscuring events (suchas clouds, sunlight, ect.). The training system determines if non-realtargets are projected to actual training mission aircraft participants.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a representation of a simulated air combatenvironment during a live flight of a physical aircraft in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 1 may be a screenshot ofsimulation environment 100 presented to a pilot in a live aircraft, suchas virtual aircraft 102, real aircraft 104, and real aircraft 106. Thesereal aircraft may belong to the same military organization, but havetaken the roles of defenders (blue force) or aggressors (red force).

Simulation environment 100 has a variety of different virtual objects,some of which are real things in the physical world and some of whichare entirely virtually created, and some of which are constructiverepresentations of real objects (but modified somehow for purpose of thesimulation).

In simulation environment 100, aircraft 104 and aircraft 106 are real.However, aircraft 102, aircraft 108, and aircraft 110 are only virtualor constructive. Vehicles 112 are real, but vehicle 113 is aconstructive representation of a real vehicle. Ground station 114,including an antenna and a building, may coordinate the training sessionand may send signals to any of the real aircraft to modify simulationenvironment 100.

Simulation environment 100 also includes simulated weapons deployment.Thus, for example, defender missile 116, aggressor missile 118, andbombs 120 are all simulated. In this manner, pilots can train with realweapons systems in real flight under a variety of different conditionswithout actually deploying real weapons.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another representation of a simulated aircombat environment during a live flight of a physical aircraft inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. Simulation environment 200in FIG. 2 is a variation of simulation environment 100 in FIG. 1.Simulation environment 200 illustrates a potential issue in a combinedlive training, virtual simulation situation.

In particular, real atmospheric obscuration 202 and real atmosphericobscuration 204 are present in the real environment. In this example,real atmospheric obscuration 202 is clouds and real atmosphericobscuration 204 is the sun. However, atmospheric obscurations can takemany forms including, but not limited to, smoke, dust, ash, the Sunitself, other heat sources, or anything else that might interfere withthe ability of a heat seeking missile to gain and maintain a lock on atarget.

In this example, simulation environment 200 includes a virtualrepresentation of real atmospheric obscuration 202. Simulationenvironment 200 also includes virtual representations of real aircraft206 (taking the role of defenders), real aircraft 208 (taking the roleof aggressors), and real aircraft 210 (taking the roll of defenders).Aircraft 212 and aircraft 214 are virtual or constructive creations thatare taking the role of aggressors.

Again, one issued faced by current combined live/virtual simulationtechnology is that the real atmospheric obscurations are not representedin simulation environment 200. Such atmospheric obscurations change overtime in terms of location and intensity. However, the presence ofatmospheric obscurations can certainly affect the performance of a realmissile. Thus, to better simulate missile launch, tracking, and impact,virtual representations of real atmospheric obscuration 202 and realatmospheric obscuration 204 should be added to simulation environment200.

The illustrative embodiments address this issue. In particular, sensorsmounted to one or more of real aircraft 206, real aircraft 208, and/orreal aircraft 210 take measures of real atmospheric obscuration 202 andreal atmospheric obscuration 204. These measurements are then convertedinto data useful for inclusion by the computer into simulationenvironment 200. As a result, simulated representations of realatmospheric obscuration 202 and real atmospheric obscuration 204 may beadded to simulation environment 200.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a distributed air combat training system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. System 300 may be a systemthat operates in a live training exercise environment, such as thosedescribed with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

System 300 includes real aircraft 302 and a live, virtual, constructivesystem (LVC system 308). Real aircraft 302 may include aircraft missioncomputer 304 and aircraft weapons computer 306, that are incommunications with each other. Aircraft mission computer 304 aids thepilot with the mission and may be responsible for presenting a simulatedenvironment to a real pilot who is actually flying real aircraft 302.Aircraft weapons computer 306 may control the weapons system of realaircraft 302.

LVC system 308 may be implemented as a computer in communication withsensors. LVC system 308 may be part of real aircraft 302, or may be partof a ground system which communicates wirelessly with aircraft weaponscomputer 306 of real aircraft 302. LVC system 308 may be physicallymounted to a weapons or training pod of real aircraft 302, may beinternal to real aircraft 302, and in either case may have beenretrofitted to real aircraft 302 or provided with real aircraft 302during manufacture.

LVC system 308 includes algorithms and data for simulating launch,tracking, and impact of heat seeking missile 310. Heat seeking missile310 may instead by a dummy missile used for training purposes, or may bemerely the physical housing of the computer system that implements LVCsystem 308.

Such algorithms and data are operated and manipulated by a computerincluding one or more processors and one or more non-transitorycomputer-recordable storage mediums. Such algorithms and data includedata link receiver 312 (for sending and receiving data), entity positiondatabase 314 (for tracking positions of virtual and representations ofreal objects in the simulated environment), obscuration function 316(the subject of the illustrative embodiments), and seeker model 318(which models the particular heat seeking missile being simulated). Thepurpose of obscuration function 316 is to convert real measurements ofreal atmospheric obscurations into virtual representations of those realatmospheric obscurations in the simulated environment created by LVCsystem 308.

Overall, aircraft mission computer 304 communicates with LVC system 308regarding the location and position of real aircraft 302. Aircraftweapons computer 306 may provide to LVC system 308 missile seeker modecommands. In return, LVC system 308 may return to aircraft missioncomputer 304 an infrared seeker position, infrared seeker status andmode, as well as data regarding the status of an entity being tracked(the target).

Attention is now returned to obscuration function 316. Obscurationfunction 316 is in communication with real sensor 320. Real sensor 320may be one sensor or may be a suite of sensors. For example, real sensor320 may be one or more of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system,a depth sensing camera, a moisture detector, an infrared camera, or anynumber of other sensors.

Real sensor 320 may detect an atmospheric obscuration, such as but notlimited to cloud 322. Data regarding cloud 322 is transmitted toobscuration function 316 of LVC system 308, which in turn converts thisdata into a virtual representation of cloud 322 in a simulatedenvironment presented by LVC system 308. For example, a cloud depth mapmay be used to characterize cloud 322 in the virtual environment. Inthis manner, the virtual representation of cloud 322 may interfere withmissile lock with respect to virtual representations of live rangeentities 324 (other real aircraft in this example) orvirtual/constructive range entities 326 (purely virtual aircraft).

FIG. 4 is an illustration of adding an interaction of real obscurationobjects in a simulated training environment during a live flight of aphysical aircraft in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Simulation environment 400 may be a variation of simulation environment100 of FIG. 1, simulation environment 200 of FIG. 2, and system 300 ofFIG. 3. In FIG. 4, virtual representations of real atmosphericobscurations interact with each other to produce different results insimulation environment 400.

For example, real aircraft 402 is attempting to obtain a missile lock onto target aircraft 404 (which may be a virtual representation of a realaircraft or a purely virtual aircraft). Target aircraft 404 is flying ina direction as indicated by arrow 406. In this example, atmosphericobscuration 408 is a virtual representation of a real cloud andatmospheric obscuration 410 is a virtual representation of the Sun. Notethat target aircraft 404 flies in a manner that interposes atmosphericobscuration 408 between target aircraft 404 and atmospheric obscuration410. In other words, the cloud blocks the view of the Sun relative toreal aircraft 402. As a result, the computer indicates that the infraredseeking missile has a lock on to target aircraft 404.

However, if cloud were not properly represented in simulated environment400, the Sun is not obscured by the cloud. As a result, the computerwould indicate that the infrared seeking missile no longer has a lock onto target aircraft 404. The reason is that the heat radiating from theSun masks the heat radiating from the engines of target aircraft 404.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a method for simulating an obscuration inan air combat training environment in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. Method 500 may be performed using a computer, as describedwith respect to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

Initially, the computer receives infrared seeker field of view data(operation 502). The computer also receives live, virtual, constructive(LVC) entity time, tag, location, velocity, and acceleration data(operation 504). The computer also stores data in an entity database(operation 506).

Next, the computer makes a determination whether the entity is withinthe seeker's field of view (operation 508). Again, the entity is thetarget and the seeker is the heat seeking missile. If the entity is notwithin the seeker's field of view (a “no” answer to operation 508), thenthe computer determines not to pass entity information to the infraredseeker model in the simulation environment (operation 510). In oneillustrative embodiment, the method may terminate thereafter.

However, if the entity is within the seeker's field of view (a “yes”answer to operation 508), then the computer makes a determinationwhether the entity is obscured by an object in a depth map (operation512). The depth map was generated by receiving sensor depth data(operation 514) and rotating or translating this data to ownship bodycoordinates of the real aircraft running the simulation environment(operation 516).

If the entity is not obscured by an object in the depth map (a “no”answer to operation 512), then the computer passes entity information tothe infrared seeker model (operation 518). In other words, in thesimulated environment, the heat seeking missile can “see” the target. Inone illustrative embodiment, the method may terminate thereafter.

However, if the entity is obscured by an object in the depth map (a“yes” answer to operation 512), then the computer does not pass entityinformation to an infrared seeker model (operation 520). In other words,in the simulated environment, the heat seeking missile cannot “see” thetarget.

Method 500 may be varied. More or fewer operations may be present. Someof the receipt of data can take place in a different order than thatpresented, or perhaps simultaneously. Thus, method 500 does notnecessarily limit the claimed inventions.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Method 600 may be performed using a computer,as described with respect to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. Method 600 may be avariation of method 500 of FIG. 5.

Method 600 may begin by a computer receiving data regarding an infraredseeker field of view (operation 602). The computer also receives Sunlocation information (operation 604). The computer also calculates aline of sight vector from a heat seeking missile to the Sun (operation606). The computer may also receive live, virtual, constructive (LVC)entity time, tag, location, velocity, and acceleration data regardingtargets and other objects (operation 608). The computer may also storedata in an entity database (operation 610).

With all of the above information, the computer makes a determinationwhether an entity (target) within the simulated environment has a lineof sight to the Sun (operation 612). If there is no line of sight to theSun (a “no” answer to operation 612), then the computer takes no actionwith respect to the simulated environment (operation 614). In oneillustrative embodiment, the method may terminate thereafter.

If there is a line of sight to the Sun (a “yes” answer to operation612), then the computer determines whether the Sun is obscured byreferencing a visual depth map (operation 616). This visual depth mapmay be generated by first receiving sensor depth data from a real sensor(operation 618). The computer then rotates and/or translates the depthmap to ownship body coordinates in order to create the visual depth map(operation 620).

Returning to the determination in operation 616, if the Sun is notobscured (a “no” determination at operation 616), then the computerpasses the Sun data to the virtual environment (operation 622). In thismanner, the computer may determine that the Sun interferes with theability of a heat seeking missile to obtain a lock onto a target. In oneillustrative embodiment, the method may terminate thereafter.

Returning to the determination in operation 616, if the Sun is obscured(a “yes” determination at operation 616), then the computer does notpass the Sun data to the virtual environment (operation 624). In thismanner, the computer may determine that the Sun does not interfere withthe ability of a heat seeking missile to obtain a lock onto a target. Inone illustrative embodiment, the method may terminate thereafter.

Method 600 may be varied. More or fewer operations may be present. Someof the receipt of data can take place in a different order than thatpresented, or perhaps simultaneously. Thus, method 600 does notnecessarily limit the claimed inventions.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a block diagram of an air combat trainingsystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Training system700 may be a variation of the devices described with respect to FIG. 1through FIG. 4. Training system 700 may be used to implement method 600of FIG. 6 or method 500 of FIG. 5.

Training system 700 includes physical sensor system 702 connected tophysical vehicle 704. Physical sensor system 702 is configured to obtainreal atmospheric obscuration data 706 of real atmospheric obscuration708. Training system 700 also includes data processing system 710including processor 712 and tangible memory 714.

Data processing system 710 is configured to receive real atmosphericobscuration data 706, and determine, based on real atmosphericobscuration data 706 whether target 716 is visible to physical vehicle704 in simulation training environment 718 generated by data processingsystem 710. Simulation training environment 718 at least includes avirtual representation of physical vehicle 704 and a virtualrepresentation of real atmospheric obscuration 708.

Training system 700 may be varied. For example, in training system 700,physical vehicle 704 may be an aircraft. In this case, physical sensorsystem 702 may be installed in an externally mounted pod on theaircraft. Physical vehicle 704 may be other types of vehicles, includingbut not limited to helicopters, automobiles, tanks, or even watervessels and submarines. Physical vehicle 704 could be replaced by abuilding or other fixed defense installation.

In another variation, data processing system 710 may be furtherconfigured to determine whether real atmospheric obscuration 708 is atleast one of direct sunlight, a cloud, smoke, or precipitation. In yetanother variation, data processing system 710 may be further configuredto determine, based on real atmospheric obscuration data 706, if targetinformation about target 716 is passed to simulation trainingenvironment 718 for use as ownship information. The determination may bebased on a first coordinate location of target 716, a second coordinatelocation of real atmospheric obscuration 708, and a third coordinatelocation of the physical vehicle 704.

In still another variation, data processing system 710 may be anon-board computer on physical vehicle 704 or a computer attached to anexterior of physical vehicle 704. In yet another illustrativeembodiment, target 716 may be at least one of a real target, a virtualrepresentation of the real target, or a constructive target.

In an illustrative embodiment, physical sensor system 702 may be aninfrared camera. Physical sensor system 702 may also be an opticalwavelength camera. Physical sensor system 702 may also be a lightdetection and ranging (LIDAR) system. Physical sensor system 702 mayalso be both an infrared camera and an optical wavelength camera.

In another illustrative embodiment, training system 700 may also includea wireless communication receiver. The wireless communication receivermay be configured to receive weather information pertinent to a locationin which the vehicle is operating, and to provide the weatherinformation to the simulation training environment as part of the realatmospheric obscuration data.

In still another illustrative embodiment, real atmospheric obscurationdata 706 may relate to a combination of at least two of a heat source, acloud, smoke, oil vapor, and precipitation. The heat source may be theSun.

Training system 700 may be further varied. More or fewer devices,targets, and/or vehicles may be present. Simulation training environment718 may be varied. Thus, the illustrative embodiments described withrespect to FIG. 7 do not necessarily limit the claimed inventions.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Method 800 may be performed using a computer,as described with respect to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. Method 800 may beperformed by training system 700 of FIG. 7. Method 800 may be avariation of method 500 of FIG. 5 or method 600 of FIG. 6. Method 800may be characterized as a method for training.

Method 800 may include obtaining real atmospheric obscuration data of areal atmospheric obscuration using a physical sensor system connected toa physical vehicle (operation 802). Method 800 also may includereceiving, at a tangible data processing system, the real atmosphericobscuration data. The method also includes generating, by the tangibledata processing system, a simulation training environment including atleast a virtual representation of the physical vehicle and a virtualrepresentation of the real atmospheric obscuration (operation 804).

Method 800 also may include determining, by the tangible data processingsystem, based on the real atmospheric obscuration data, whether a targetis visible to the physical vehicle in the simulation trainingenvironment (operation 806). In one illustrative embodiment, the methodmay terminate thereafter.

Method 800 may be varied. For example, the target may be one of a realtarget, a virtual representation of the real target, a virtualrepresentation of a manned simulation, and a constructive target. Method800 may also include additional operations. For example, method 800 mayalso include, if the target is not visible, tracking the target in thesimulation training environment but not displaying the target in thesimulation training environment, and if the target is visible, trackingand displaying the target in the simulation training environment.

In another illustrative embodiment, method 800 may also include, if thetarget is visible, determining whether a solution of the target isdegraded by the atmospheric obscuration and degrading the solution ofthe target in the simulation training environment. In yet anotherillustrative embodiment, method 800 may also include receiving, by thetangible data processing system, weather information pertinent to alocation in which the vehicle is operating and providing the weatherinformation to the simulation training environment as part of the realatmospheric obscuration data.

Method 800 may be further varied. More or fewer operations may bepresent. Some of the receipt of data can take place in a different orderthan that presented, or perhaps simultaneously. Thus, method 800 doesnot necessarily limit the claimed inventions.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another method for simulating anobscuration in an air combat training environment in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Method 900 may be performed using a computer,as described with respect to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4. Method 900 may beperformed by training system 700 of FIG. 7. Method 800 may be avariation of method 500 of FIG. 5, method 600 of FIG. 6, or method 800of FIG. 8. Method 900 may be characterized as a method of simulatingtargets for a physical aircraft configured with a physical sensorsystem.

Method 900 may include operating the physical aircraft in flight(operation 902). Method 900 also may include measuring, using thephysical sensor system, a real atmospheric obscuration to generateatmospheric obscuration data (operation 904).

Method 900 also may include tracking a target in a virtual environmentgenerated by a processor in communication with the physical aircraft(operation 906). Method 900 may also include determining, by theprocessor and based on the atmospheric obscuration data, whether thetarget is visible to the physical aircraft in the virtual environment(operation 908).

Method 900 also may include displaying the target in the virtualsimulation environment only when the target is not obscured by the realatmospheric obscuration (operation 910). The method also may includeonly tracking, without displaying, the target in the virtual environmentwhen the target is obscured by the real atmospheric obscuration(operation 912). In one illustrative embodiment, the method mayterminate thereafter.

Method 900 may be varied. For example, method 900 may also includedetermining, taking into account the atmospheric obscuration data,whether a missile connected to the aircraft has a firing solution on thetarget. Method 900 may also include simulating launch of the missile ifthe aircraft has the firing solution.

Method 900 may be further varied. More or fewer operations may bepresent. Some of the receipt of data can take place in a different orderthan that presented, or perhaps simultaneously. Thus, method 900 doesnot necessarily limit the claimed inventions.

Turning now to FIG. 10, an illustration of a data processing system isdepicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processingsystem 1000 in FIG. 10 is an example of a data processing system thatmay be used to in conjunction with the illustrative embodiments, such astraining system 700 of FIG. 7, or any other device or techniquedisclosed herein. In this illustrative example, data processing system1000 includes communications fabric 1002, which provides communicationsbetween processor unit 1004, memory 1006, persistent storage 1008,communications unit 1010, input/output unit 1012, and display 1014.

Processor unit 1004 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 1006. This software may be an associative memory,which is a type of content addressable memory, or software forimplementing the processes described herein. Thus, for example, softwareloaded into memory 1006 may be software for executing method 800 of FIG.8, or for executing techniques described with respect to FIG. 1 throughFIG. 7.

Processor unit 1004 may be a number of processors, a multi-processorcore, or some other type of processor, depending on the particularimplementation. A number, as used herein with reference to an item,means one or more items. Further, processor unit 1004 may be implementedusing a number of heterogeneous processor systems in which a mainprocessor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. Asanother illustrative example, processor unit 1004 may be a symmetricmulti-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type.

Memory 1006 and persistent storage 1008 are examples of storage devices1016. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example, without limitation, data,program code in functional form, and/or other suitable information,either on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Storage devices1016 may also be referred to as computer-readable storage devices inthese examples. Memory 1006, in these examples, may be, for example, arandom access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatilestorage device. Persistent storage 1008 may take various forms,depending on the particular implementation.

For example, persistent storage 1008 may contain one or more componentsor devices. For example, persistent storage 1008 may be a hard drive, aflash memory drive, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetictape, or some combination of the above mentioned devices. The media usedby persistent storage 1008 also may be removable. For example, aremovable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 1008.

Communications unit 1010, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 1010 is a network interface card. Communicationsunit 1010 may provide communications through the use of either physicalor wireless communications links, or both.

Input/output unit 1012 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 1000. Forexample, input/output unit 1012 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable type of inputdevice. Further, input/output unit 1012 may send output to a printer.Display 1014 provides a mechanism to display information to a user.

Instructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs maybe located in storage devices 1016, which are in communication withprocessor unit 1004 through communications fabric 1002. In theseillustrative examples, the instructions are in a functional form onpersistent storage 1008. These instructions may be loaded into memory1006 for execution by processor unit 1004. The processes of thedifferent embodiments may be performed by processor unit 1004 usingcomputer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory,such as memory 1006.

These instructions are referred to as program code, computer-useableprogram code, or computer-readable program code that may be read andexecuted by a processor in processor unit 1004. The program code in thedifferent embodiments may be embodied on different physical orcomputer-readable storage media, such as memory 1006 or persistentstorage 1008.

Computer-usable program code 1018 is located in a functional form oncomputer-readable media 1020 that is selectively removable and may beloaded onto or transferred to data processing system 1000 for executionby processor unit 1004. Computer-usable program code 1018 andcomputer-readable media 1020 form computer program product 1022 in theseexamples. In one example, computer-readable media 1020 may becomputer-readable storage media 1024 or computer-readable signal media1026. Computer-readable storage media 1024 may include, for example, anoptical or magnetic disk that is inserted or placed into a drive orother device that is part of persistent storage 1008 for transfer onto astorage device, such as a hard drive, that is part of persistent storage1008. Computer-readable storage media 1024 also may take the form of apersistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flashmemory, that is connected to data processing system 1000. In someinstances, computer-readable storage media 1024 may not be removablefrom data processing system 1000.

Alternatively, computer-usable program code 1018 may be transferred todata processing system 1000 using computer-readable signal media 1026.Computer-readable signal media 1026 may be, for example, a propagateddata signal containing computer-usable program code 1018. For example,computer-readable signal media 1026 may be an electromagnetic signal, anoptical signal, and/or any other suitable type of signal. These signalsmay be transmitted over communications links, such as wirelesscommunications links, optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, a wire, and/orany other suitable type of communications link. In other words, thecommunications link and/or the connection may be physical or wireless inthe illustrative examples.

In some illustrative embodiments, computer-usable program code 1018 maybe downloaded over a network to persistent storage 1008 from anotherdevice or data processing system through computer-readable signal media1026 for use within data processing system 1000. For instance, programcode stored in a computer-readable storage medium in a server dataprocessing system may be downloaded over a network from the server todata processing system 1000. The data processing system providingcomputer-usable program code 1018 may be a server computer, a clientcomputer, or some other device capable of storing and transmittingcomputer-usable program code 1018.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 1000 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents, in addition to or in place of those, illustrated for dataprocessing system 1000. Other components shown in FIG. 10 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of runningprogram code. As one example, the data processing system may includeorganic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may becomprised entirely of organic components, excluding a human being. Forexample, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.

In another illustrative example, processor unit 1004 may take the formof a hardware unit that has circuits that are manufactured or configuredfor a particular use. This type of hardware may perform operationswithout needing program code to be loaded into a memory from a storagedevice to be configured to perform the operations.

For example, when processor unit 1004 takes the form of a hardware unit,processor unit 1004 may be a circuit system, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some othersuitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations.With a programmable logic device, the device is configured to performthe number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at a later timeor may be permanently configured to perform the number of operations.Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example, aprogrammable logic array, programmable array logic, a field programmablelogic array, a field programmable gate array, or other suitable types ofhardware devices. With this type of implementation, computer-usableprogram code 1018 may be omitted because the processes for the differentembodiments are implemented in a hardware unit.

In still another illustrative example, processor unit 1004 may beimplemented using a combination of processors found in computers andhardware units. Processor unit 1004 may have a number of hardware unitsand a number of processors that are configured to run computer-usableprogram code 1018. With this depicted example, some of the processes maybe implemented in the number of hardware units, while other processesmay be implemented in the number of processors.

As another example, a storage device in data processing system 1000 isany hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 1006, persistentstorage 1008, and computer-readable media 1020 are examples of storagedevices in a tangible form.

In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communicationsfabric 1002 and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a systembus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implementedusing any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer ofdata between different components or devices attached to the bus system.Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices usedto transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.Further, a memory may be, for example, a cache. A memory may also bememory 1006, found in an interface and memory controller hub that may bepresent in communications fabric 1002.

Data processing system 1000 may also include an associative memory. Anassociative memory may be in communication with communications fabric1002. An associative memory may also be in communication with, or insome illustrative embodiments, be considered part of storage devices1016. Additional associative memories may be present.

As used herein, the term “associative memory” refers to a plurality ofdata and a plurality of associations among the plurality of data. Theplurality of data and the plurality of associations may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The plurality of datamay be collected into associated groups. The associative memory may beconfigured to be queried based on at least indirect relationships amongthe plurality of data, in addition to direct correlations among theplurality of data. Thus, an associative memory may be configured to bequeried based solely on direct relationships, based solely on at leastindirect relationships, as well as based on combinations of direct andindirect relationships. An associative memory may be a contentaddressable memory.

Thus, an associative memory may be characterized as a plurality of dataand a plurality of associations among the plurality of data. Theplurality of data may be collected into associated groups. Further, theassociative memory may be configured to be queried based on at least onerelationship, selected from a group that includes direct and indirectrelationships, or from among the plurality of data, in addition todirect correlations among the plurality of data. An associative memorymay also take the form of software. Thus, an associative memory also maybe considered a process by which information is collected intoassociated groups in the interest of gaining new insight based onrelationships rather than direct correlation. An associative memory mayalso take the form of hardware, such as specialized processors or afield programmable gate array.

As used herein, the term “entity” refers to an object that has adistinct, separate existence, though such existence need not be amaterial existence. Thus, abstractions and legal constructs may beregarded as entities. As used herein, an entity need not be animate.Associative memories work with entities.

The different illustrative embodiments can take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodimentcontaining both hardware and software elements. Some embodiments areimplemented in software, which include but are not limited to forms suchas, for example, firmware, resident software, and microcode.

Furthermore, the different embodiments can take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readablemedium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any device or system that executes instructions. For thepurposes of this disclosure, a computer-usable or computer-readablemedium can generally be any tangible apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be, for example,without limitation an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, or a propagation medium. Non-limitingexamples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk,and an optical disk. Optical disks may include compact disk read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk read/write (CD-R/W), or DVD.

Further, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may contain orstore a computer-readable or computer-usable program code, such thatwhen the computer-readable or computer-usable program code is executedon a computer, the execution of this computer-readable orcomputer-usable program code causes the computer to transmit anothercomputer-readable or computer-usable program code over a communicationslink. This communications link may use a medium that is, for examplewithout limitation, physical or wireless.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executingcomputer-readable or computer-usable program code will include one ormore processors coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementsthrough a communications fabric, such as a system bus. The memoryelements may include local memory employed during actual execution ofthe program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which providetemporary storage of at least some computer-readable or computer-usableprogram code to reduce the number of times code may be retrieved frombulk storage during execution of the code.

Input/output unit or input/output devices can be coupled to the systemeither directly or through intervening input/output controllers. Thesedevices may include, for example, without limitation, keyboards, touchscreen displays, or pointing devices. Different communications adaptersmay also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing systemto become coupled to other data processing systems, remote printers, orstorage devices through intervening private or public networks.Non-limiting examples of modems and network adapters are just a few ofthe currently available types of communications adapters.

The description of the different illustrative embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrativeembodiments may provide different features as compared to otherillustrative embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A training system configured to integrate a realatmospheric obscuration into heat seeking missile targeting in a live,virtual, constructive training system, such that the live, virtual,constructive training system comprises: a sensor system that comprises adepth sensing visual sensor connected to a physical vehicle andconfigured to obtain real atmospheric obscuration data of the realatmospheric obscuration and provide the real atmospheric obscurationdata to an obscuration function in a data processing system thatcomprises a processor and a tangible memory configured to: simulate anexistence of a heat seeking missile, on the physical vehicle, with aseeker model; receive the real atmospheric obscuration data; convert thereal atmospheric obscuration data into a depth map based upon a rotationand a translation of the real atmospheric obscuration data to ownshipbody coordinates of the physical vehicle that characterizes arepresentation of the real atmospheric obscuration in a simulationtraining environment generated by the data processing system; determine,based on the depth map, if the representation of the real atmosphericobscuration obscures a firing solution by the heat seeking missilesimulated by the seeker model from the physical vehicle to a virtualtarget in the simulation training environment, such that the virtualtarget is a representation generated from a human-controlled simulator;and responsive to an obscured firing solution, withhold data about thevirtual target from the seeker model and deny the firing solution on thevirtual target by the heat seeking missile, on the physical vehicle,simulated by the seeker model.
 2. The training system of claim 1,wherein the physical vehicle comprises an aircraft.
 3. The trainingsystem of claim 1, wherein the data processing system is furtherconfigured to determine whether the real atmospheric obscurationcomprises at least one of direct sunlight, a cloud, smoke, orprecipitation.
 4. The training system of claim 1, wherein the dataprocessing system is further configured to, based on the realobscuration atmospheric data, pass target information about the virtualtarget to the simulation training environment for use as ownshipinformation, wherein a determination is based on a first coordinatelocation of the virtual target, a second coordinate location of the realatmospheric obscuration, and a third coordinate location of the physicalvehicle.
 5. The training system of claim 1, wherein the data processingsystem is an on-board computer on the physical vehicle or is a computerattached to an exterior of the physical vehicle.
 6. The training systemof claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a real target, or aconstructive target.
 7. The training system of claim 1, wherein thesensor system comprises an infrared camera.
 8. The training system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises an optical wavelengthcamera.
 9. The training system of claim 1, wherein the sensor systemcomprises a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system.
 10. The trainingsystem of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises both of aninfrared camera and an optical wavelength camera.
 11. The trainingsystem of claim 1 further comprising: a wireless communication receiverconfigured to receive weather information pertinent to a location inwhich the physical vehicle is operating, and to provide the weatherinformation to the simulation training environment as part of the realatmospheric obscuration data.
 12. The training system of claim 1,wherein the real atmospheric obscuration data comprises a combination ofat least two of: a heat source, a cloud, smoke, oil vapor, andprecipitation.
 13. The training system of claim 1, wherein the realatmospheric obscuration data comprises a combination of direct sunlightand one of: a cloud, smoke, oil vapor, and precipitation.
 14. A methodof determining a firing solution for a seeker model simulating anexistence of a heat seeking air-to-air missile on a physical vehicle ina live, virtual, constructive training system, the method comprising:obtaining real atmospheric obscuration data of a real atmosphericobscuration using a physical sensor system comprising a depth sensingvisual sensor connected to the physical vehicle; a tangible dataprocessing system in the live, virtual constructive training systemperforming the following: receiving the real atmospheric obscurationdata; generating, by the tangible data processing system, a simulationtraining environment in the live, virtual, constructive system includingat least a representation of the physical vehicle; converting the realatmospheric obscuration data into a depth map by rotating andtranslating the real atmospheric obscuration data to ownship bodycoordinates of the physical vehicle and forming, using an obscurationfunction, a representation of the real atmospheric obscuration in thesimulation training environment; determining, using the obscurationfunction using and the depth map if the representation of the realatmospheric obscuration obscures a firing solution by the seeker modelsimulating the heat seeking air-to-air missile from the physical vehicleto a virtual target in the simulation training environment, such thatthe virtual target is a representation generated from a human-controlledsimulator; and withholding, responsive to an obscured firing solution,data about the virtual target from the seeker model and denying thefiring solution to the virtual target by the heat seeking missile, onthe physical vehicle, simulated by the seeker model.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising one of: a real target, and a constructivetarget.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: responsive to aline of sight from the physical vehicle for the seeker model to thevirtual target being obscured, tracking the virtual target in thesimulation training environment but not displaying the virtual target inthe simulation training environment; and responsive to the line of sightfrom the physical vehicle for the seeker model to the virtual targetbeing visible, tracking and displaying the virtual target in thesimulation training environment.
 17. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising; using a visibility of the virtual target along line of sightfrom the seeker model to the virtual target, the tangible dataprocessing system determining a degradation by the real atmosphericobscuration to the solution to the virtual target; and applying thedegradation to the solution of the virtual target in the simulationtraining environment.
 18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:receiving, by the tangible data processing system, weather informationpertinent to a location in which the physical vehicle is operating; andproviding the weather information to the simulation training environmentas part of the real atmospheric obscuration data.
 19. A method ofsimulating a heat seeking air-to-air missile target tracking for aphysical aircraft configured with a physical sensor system, the methodcomprising: operating the physical aircraft in flight in a live,virtual, constructive training system comprising a tangible processor;measuring, using the physical sensor system comprising a depth sensingvisual sensor, a real atmospheric obscuration and generating atmosphericobscuration data representing the real atmospheric obscuration withinthe live, virtual, constructive training system; converting theatmospheric obscuration data representing the real atmosphericobscuration into a depth map by rotating and translating atmosphericobscuration data representing the real atmospheric obscuration toownship body coordinates of the physical aircraft and forming, using anobscuration function in the tangible processor, a representation of thereal atmospheric obscuration in a simulation training environment;determining, by the tangible processor using: the atmosphericobscuration data, the depth map, and the obscuration function, if therepresentation of the real atmospheric obscuration obscures a firingsolution by a seeker model simulating an existence of the heat seekingair-to-air missile from the physical aircraft to a virtual target in thelive, virtual, constructive training system, such that the virtualtarget is a representation generated from a human-controlled simulator;and withholding, responsive to an obscured firing solution, data aboutthe virtual target from the seeker model and denying the firing solutionto the virtual target by the heat seeking missile, on the physicalaircraft, simulated by the seeker model.
 20. The method of claim 19further comprising: determining if the firing solution by the seekermodel is unobscured by the representation of the atmospheric obscurationdata representing the real atmospheric obscuration, whether simulatingthe existence of the heat seeking air-to-air missile connected to thephysical aircraft to the virtual target; and passing, responsive to thefiring solution to the virtual target being unobscured, data about thevirtual target to the seeker model, and simulating launching, from thephysical aircraft, the heat seeking air-to-air missile connected to thephysical aircraft simulated by the seeker model to the virtual target.